Monsoon arrives with a special music of its own — from the tip-tap of the falling raindrops to the chirping of birds and dance of peacocks, everything has a sweet rhythm. No wonder there are special ragas in Indian classical music that are dedicated to the rains.

Celebrating this romantic
spirit of monsoon through music this weekend is Barkha Ritu — a pan-Indian music festival that will see a host of monsoon ragas like megh, miya malhaar, sur malhaar, thumris and popular monsoon melodies by maestros.

“It is our endeavour to welcome monsoon in the city. Though most people sit indoors and crib about rain as it stops their daily chores, we want to re-introduce gen-next to the fun and frolic of monsoon that was celebrated traditionally,” says Mahesh Babu, festival director.

The evening will begin on a melodious note by Chhannulal Mishra, who will bring alive the atmosphere with his rendition of popular monsoon melodies in his unique blend of Banaras and Punjab gayaki. Though the festival usually focuses on monsoon ragas in north Indian classical music, guests will witness a rare jugalbandi between north and south Indian music for the first time in the 12-year history of the festival.

While Ustad Shujaat Khan, son and disciple of Ustad Vilayat Khan, will play the sitar, Prasanna who plays the electric guitar, will match his tunes in south Indian musical art form of Carnatic music.